MEET THE HUMANSÂ AND LEARN OUR PHILOSOPHY
Ethical and Effective Partnership with Animals
Casey Bennington, RVT, Certified Fear-Free Dog and Cat Professional, AKC Certified Evaluator, EAGALA Equine Specialist
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"Love the Animal First, the Sport Second."
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Casey created Hot-Mess Training to use Science-Based Positive Reinforcement training methods to help you get the most out of your relationship with your animal companions. We help find purpose and passion, make learning FUN, and bring out the greatness within.
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There is plenty of research proving the effectiveness of reward-based training. Dominance-theory and punishment based training is out of date, not effective, and not humane/ethical. We now KNOW better, so why shouldn't we DO better?
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When your animal is actively involved in the training process, they ENJOY learning and making the correct choices because they WANT to, instead of simply "obeying" out of fear. We do not use harsh training equipment such as shock collars, pinch/prong/choke collars, or out-dated "dominance based" training methods. As a result, you will have lasting results, a happier animal, and a stronger relationship built on trust!
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Casey, the founder and Trainer at Hot Mess Training, is a Registered Veterinary Technician with a background in both personal and professional canine, and feline behavior management. She has a personal love of horses and enjoys training her own for personal companions and competitions. She found a calling early in life to pursue improving the human-animal bond. She discovered how to make learning FUN by exploring what horses, dogs, and cats enjoy doing, and building a solid foundation on trust and respect that can be extended to any discipline, skill, task, cue or job.
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Working in shelter medicine and in general veterinary practice, Casey became passionate about helping animals and the people who love them overcome behavioral issues, which if left un-managed often resulted in poor quality of life, re-homing, or euthanasia. This prompted her to pursue a special interest in behavior. She is a Fear Free Certified Dog and Cat Trainer and Pet Professional, graduate of an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Program, Registered Veterinary Technician, member of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, an American Kennel Club approved Evaluator, and a certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Specialist with EAGALA. She has worked in general practice, small and large animal medicine, and emergency medicine. She is in school to obtain her masters degree in social work to become a trauma therapist who works primarily with veterinary professionals and pet owners using animal assisted psychotherapy.
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Casey's animals currently include 2 shelter adopted dogs: Pancho (Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog x German Shepherd mix), and Rylee (German Shepherd x Golden Retriever), 2 cats: Lil Bit, and Harvest, and 3 American Quarter Horses horses: Connie, Pistol Annie, and Sunny.
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Working together as a team makes everyone happy, come learn and grow with us!
IN LOVING MEMORY
Tater, 2006 - 2021
No longer by my side, but forever in my heart. Thank you for changing me for the better by showing me true unconditional love, how to trust, and the meaning of loyalty.
Paisley 2011-2022
My co-pilot, partner in crime, best friend, and the dog I always dreamed of having. Life is not the same without you and I am forever grateful to have learned from your enthusiasm and excitement for life and learning.
Kitnit, 2019- missing in 2021
My soul kitty, I'm forever grateful for the friendship you gave me, the trust you showed me, and the fun you turned clicker training into. I still cling to hope that you will return to me someday.
Dudes Great Pine, aka "Red"
Red met Casey when he was 7 years old, and Casey was in high school. They showed together on the National Reining Horse Association and American Quarter Horse circuits. They were ranked 3rd in the country in their youth division in 2004. 20 years later, Red retired with Casey here in NC. He enjoyed herding his mares around and being loved on daily. Red beca Casey's son's horse, and helped him find the confidence and passion for horses. We laid Red to rest due to chronic lameness problems that became detrimental to his quality of life, after doing all we could to keep him comfortable. Casey will forever be grateful for Red, and he will hold a special place in the hearts of many.
